Lite Shipping rules inaugural SC30 Basketball League | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — Lite Shipping fended off the Tisa Bulldogs, 80-74, in the deciding game of their best-of-three finals series to make history as the first ever champions of the SC30 Basketball League-Starter Division at the House of Curry gym.

Under the guidance of coach Ed Bonphyl Macasling, Lite Shipping dictated the pace of the match since racing to a hot 24-15 start.

On top by a double-digit at halftime, 45-35, Lite Shipping's lead ballooned to as much as 15 points in the third period.

The Bulldogs, however, staged a daring fightback at the endgame to pull within just three points.

But that proved to be their last hurrah as John Paul Banono hit a contested 3-pointer with 52.3 seconds left to play before Noel Canedo calmly sank a pair of crucial free throws to seal the deal for Lite Shipping of team owners Jethro Imboy, Ad Mario Leoncio, Wilmer Go, and Wendell Go.

Banono topscored for Lite Shipping with 17 points while Canedo came up with a solid double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds laced with four blocks.

Albert Echavarria and Mark Flores also figured prominently for Lite Shipping with 21 combined points.

Argel Paguray paced the Tisa Bulldogs with 13 points followed by Nikko Chavez with 12 markers. Rickyboy Gomez, James Mindo, and Adrian Satorre connived for 28 points in a losing effort.

The league's maiden season was under the supervision of tournament director Marco Albarracin and commissioner Jet Latonio.

Lite Shipping (80) - Banono 17, Canedo 14, Echavarria 11, Flores 10, Calomorde 8, Yncierto 6, Edig 6, Ecojedo 4, Galinato 4

Tisa Bulldogs (74) - Paguray 13, Chavez 12, Gomez 10, Mindo 10, Satorre 8, Borling 8, Noval 4, Ebale 4, Ople 3, Marabiles 2. — (FREEMAN)